Our Place

Elmwood children have access to beautiful outdoor and indoor spaces, which support their growth and development.

Indoors

Our charming, light-filled classrooms are thoughtfully planned to support children’s learning and play. Both are essential to children’s development and respected throughout the children’s years at Elmwood.

SAND AND WATER

Children have great conversations with one another as they bake, sift, mix, dig, pour, and explore at the sand and water tables.

DRAMATIC PLAY

In our kitchen areas, the children care for baby dolls, take orders from menus, prepare food, and go on picnics.

EASEL

Children gather with friends to paint at the easel. They often relay the story behind their paintings to a teacher, who records their words.

LIBRARY

Our classroom libraries include age appropriate books, magazines, and class authored/illustrated books. Children may go there anytime on their own, and are also read to as part of a group each day.

Arts and Crafts

Children make steady use of all our arts and crafts materials as they draw, cut, collage, paste, and mold their creations. Art experiences are fun, open ended, and process oriented.

BLOCKS

Building with blocks is an essential part of the Elmwood experience and child development. When children build they are recreating the world around them and imagining new worlds of their own design. Blocks invite children to experiment with physics, engineering, math, and literacy as well. Building with friends gives children the opportunity to talk about an idea, negotiate, problem solve, and be proud of what they create together. Above all else, the children have fun.

Small Group Experiences

Small Groups: Children have time to make their own choices as well as take part in teacher-initiated experiences such as a game, cooking project, drawing activity, or investigation related to a thematic unit.

Outdoors

Children go outside to play every day, all year long (weather permitting). We find that each outdoor space lends itself to a unique kind of play, and classes visit many throughout the week. Classes often play in multiple outdoor areas each day, with time for free play as well as favorite Elmwood games.

GAGA

BASKETBALL

BIKES

CLIMB

SANDWORLD

ELMVILLE

BIG PLAYGROUND

SOCCER

BALLPARK

SOFTBALL

This school is excellent. They are very creative and caring – they are play based, and yet most kids excel academically. It’s because they sneak the learning in… Jane is the Director and caring but also a “nerd” about early childhood education. She is a fantastic resource and you can tell that she thrives on learning more and providing an excellent start to school. This school is excellent but not fancy. They have their own songs and a very sweet culture that includes everyone. We love it at Elmwood.

Emily / Parent

I sent both of my girls here. This school is outstanding in every way. The communication between staff and parents is fantastic.

Parent

(914) 592-8577

900 Dobbs Ferry Road
White Plains
NY 10607

OUR PLACE

Elmwood was originally built as an estate. In 1957, it was redesigned as a school and summer camp with children in mind.

WHO WE ARE

Elmwood’s staff is dedicated, creative and caring. Each teacher is committed to the Elmwood Philosophy and Mission Statement.